Improvement in locks for ordnance



N. THMPSON= Improvement in Locks for Ordnance.

Patented Sep. 10, 1872'.

I f am INVENTOR:

WITNESSES NATHAN THOMPSON, OF BROOKLYN, EW YORK.

4naPaovswaziar in Locus Foa caen/incr.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. llLlQl, dated September 10, F372; antedated September 6,

Specification of mprovement in Firing Apparatus for Ordnance, invented by NATHAN THQMPSON, of the city of Brooklyn, in Kings county and State of New York.

This invention relates to the means of cocking and releasing a firing-pin which works through the breech portion of a gun, and is operated by a spring to produce the ignition of the fulminate priming of the cartridge and consequent explosion of the charge with which the gun is loaded 5 and it consists in providing the said pin` with a swinging cross-head so constructed and applied with relation to proper bearing-surfaces in the breech-piece, or in some appurtenance thereof, that by moving the said cross-head to one position it is made to draw back the said pin and hold it cocked77 with its spring compressed or under tension, and by moving it from this position the pin is left free to be driven forward by the spring for the purpose of igniting the priming and exploding the charge.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a central longitudinal vertical section, in position, when cocked, of the means of'applying and operating the ring-pin. Fig. 2 is a view of the same taken when in the same position at right angles to Fig. l, or a horizontal plan showing part only in section. Fig. 3 is a central horizontal section of the same with the cross-head and iringpin in their respective positions after iring the charge. These three gures represent my iring apparatus as adapted for applicationl to muzzleloading ordnance. Fig. 4 represent the same rin g apparatus with the plug or breech-valve applied to adapt it to breeeh-loadin g ordnance.

The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

Referring to the drawing, E is the firing-pin, passing longitudinally and centrally through the breech-screw C, and having provided on it a collar, i, behind which there is coiled around it, within a suitable cavity in the breech-screw C, the spiral main or ring spring Gr. To provide for the insertion of this pin and spring the breech-screw C has its head G made of a separate piece, which is put on like a cap and secured by setscrews 7c la or other suitable means.. F is the cross-head, attached to the ringpin by a pin, j. This cross-head is slotted longitudinally for nearly half its length from one end, and the rear portion of the ring-pin E is attened to rit easily within said cross-head is made with a ring or otherwise suitably constructed for the attachment of a lanyard, Z. screw-head C to receive said cross-head and guide its movements, the said groove and the erosshead therein having a horizontal position when the screw is turned home to its seat in the breech.- The slotted endof the cross-head is rounded off on one side, as shown at 11, in Fig. 2; and on the corresponding side of it, when in line with the firing-pin, a stoppin, p, is inserted through the head C', to prevent said end from moving beyond such position. By drawing the cross-head from the transverse into a longitudinal position relatively to the firing-pin the rounded portion u is made to act as a cam and draw back the rin g-pin, which action compresses the spring,

and when the cross-head arrives in the posi`V tion shown in Fig. 2, beyond which the pin p prevents it from passing, the flat portion of its end is retained by the spring against aat bearing at the bottom of the` groove m in the head of the breech-screw in such manner as to hold back the firing-pin in a cocked position. To let off the ring-pin the cross-head requires to be drawn aside sufficiently from the stoppin p to cause the rounded portion a of its end to slip on the bottom of the groove m in the head of the breech-screw, when the spring pulls the head F cross-wise and drives forward the ring-pin.

The construction of and mode of applying and operating the ringpin is applicable to muzzle-loading ordnance, and to adapt it to breech-loadin g ordnance similar to my several A groove, m, is formed in theV other inventions for which I have applied for cross head pivoted. thereto and projecting Letters Patent I attach the breech plug or spring, for operation substantially as specivalve H to the inner end of the screw C, Wherefied.

by the rear end 0f the bore of the gun is closed NATHAN THOMPSON.

by turning up said screw.

What is here claimed, and -desired. t0 have Vitnesses:

secured by Letters Patent, is- SYDNEY E. SMITH,

The combination, with the firing-pin, of a W. 'MORRIS SMITH. 

